Aprons' messages a boost to troops

Other than on the chow line, you don't tend to associate aprons
and the military.

There aren't a lot of grandmas and restaurant chefs, the most
likely apron wearers, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet aprons
are showing up in bunches at military posts in those countries.

Give Kathleen Crusing credit for that.

The Escondido resident created Operation Apron in 2003 as a way
to lift the spirit of troops bothered by negative comments they
heard about the war in Iraq.

Crusing encountered some of those troops on American Airlines
military charters on which she served as a flight attendant. On one
occasion, a young man with a sad expression told Crusing that he
wished the American public was behind the troops.

Crusing responded, "I know the American public. They are behind
you."

Seeking a way to show that support, Crusing came up with idea of
decorating aprons with positive messages, and having people sign
them and write their own messages. She sewed the message "Kick ass
and come home safe" on an apron and passed it around.

Reaction was so positive that Crusing contacted fellow members
of Escondido Republican Women, Ftd. to spread the word. She called
five, asked that they call five more, and soon the group had
pledges for 350 aprons with various slogans on them.

As the numbers grew, Crusing got in touch with the Chaplain
Corps at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, which carries the aprons
to overseas units. They are now pinned to tents, tied to trees,
nailed to walls and even worn on the chow lines, according to
Crusing.

"Close to 6,000 aprons have gone over there," she said. "People
hear about it and think, 'What a great idea.' Basically, it is a
great thank-you card for the young men and women who make such a
tremendous sacrifice for their country."

The Escondido Republican women's group buys the aprons and
distributes them to other Republican women's chapters in Southern
California. The effort has spread to other states as well, and
keeps growing, said Crusing.

The troops really appreciate the gesture, according to e-mails
Crusing has received from military members.